Mr. Hale to Mr.
Seward.
No. 132.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid,
May 16, 1868.
Sir: In my dispatch No. 128, dated April 18,
1868, I informed you that Mr. Arrazola, the minister of state, expressed
a desire that I should make a communication to him in writing of the
statement which I then made verbally, and that I promised I would do so.
Accordingly on the same day, viz, April 18, I complied with my promise,
and on the 13th of May I received an answer from the new minister of
state, of which I herewith inclose a copy and a translation of the
same.
Perhaps the delay occasioned between the date and the delivery may be
explained by the fact that in the mean time there has been a change of
ministry occasioned by the death of the Duke of Valencia, and further,
immediately after, the festivities of the court, occasioned by the
marriage of the eldest daughter of the Queen with a younger brother of
the ex-King of Naples.
I remain yours, with all due respect,
JOHN P. HALE.
Hon.
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State,
Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Señor Roncali to Mr. Hale.
Ministry of State,
Palace,
May 1, 1868.
My Dear Sir: I have had the honor of
receiving the note of your excellency of the date of the 18th of the
last month, in which, in conformity to the instructions of Mr.
Seward, your excellency is pleased to express the desire that, by
means of a formal armistice, there should be terminated all the
inconveniences which the passive state
[Page 8]
of war, at present existing between Spain and
the allied republics of the Pacific, occasions to the United States;
and for that purpose proposes that there he adopted a resolution to
that effect, and that afterwards there be in Washington a conference
of pleni-potentiaries of the interested powers for the definitive
arrangement of a peace.
The government of her Majesty receives with favor the suggestion of
Mr. Seward on this subject, and as your excellency very well knows
the continuance of this war has not been owing to them, and
satisfied that the benefits of peace now more than ever necessary to
the welfare of the civilized world, is pleased to do what it can to
carry into effect the realization of the propositions of the cabinet
of Washington, putting an end to the inconveniences which the
present state of things occasions to neutral powers.
In consequence, the Spanish government, seconding with its accustomed
deference the views of the United States on this subject, are
disposed to make a formal declaration of an armistice as soon as the
other powers interested agree thereto, and at the same time is ready
to nominate a representative to the conference at Washington who
shall have power to treat of the terms of a definitive treaty of
peace.
Upon this last subject, however, I ought to inform your excellency,
to the end that you may communicate the same to the government of
the United States, that the government of her Majesty must insist
that there be fixed, in the first place, a point of time from which
the matters to be discussed in the conference shall commence, and
that on no pretense shall there be submitted to the conference
anything heretofore arranged by international agreement.
Your excellency will observe the good and sincere desire which has
always animated Spain, in favor of a peace honorable for all the
nations engaged in this war of the Pacific, and the government of
her Majesty hopes that the cabinet of Washington will appreciate
this new proof of the sentiments of loyalty and justice which
inspires its conduct, as her Majesty’s government appreciates the
friendly action of the United States.
I improve this opportunity for reiterating to your excellency the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
The Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States.
